A tempting array of fabulous food and creative crafts is on offer at The Bowes Museum on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December, at the ever popular Christmas Market.

The market - which takes place in the Museum grounds, on the newly graveled paths of the parterre garden - runs from 10.00 to 4.00 each day, with a huge selection of stalls catering for every festive need. Tempting the tastebuds will be hard-to-resist luxury hampers, artisan breads, Christmas cakes and bakes, local ales, cheeses, and pies of all descriptions. But for those who can’t wait until the big day, mulled wine, pizzas from a wood-fired oven, gourmet street food and bratwurst will be available to consume on the day.

Adding to the seasonal atmosphere over the weekend will be choirs, including Musicality and The Andreas Ensemble, along with music from Barnard Castle Brass Band, while Santa and his elf will be Ho! Ho! Hoing! in his workshop from 10.00 – 12.30 and 1.30 – 4.00, waiting to welcome younger visitors who will also have a chance to feed his real reindeer and take part in various activities. Admission to see Santa is £3.00 per child, to include a gift.

Craft stalls proffer some amazing gift ideas including ceramics, personalised presents, bespoke homewares, luxury wools and knits, scarves, handbags, hand painted fashion, jewellery, blacksmith work and alpaca wool goods. Original artwork and prints are also available to purchase at the market as well as from the stunning New Light selling exhibition of contemporary work currently on show inside the Museum.

There is a small cover charge of £2.50 per adult which includes entry to the market and museum, with the fabulous opportunity to visit two further exhibitions - Robert Mapplethorpe: The Magic in the Muse, a show of this famous photographer’s work, and Quiltscapes & Quiltlineby contemporary quiltmaker and textile artist Pauline Burbidge.

Park and Ride ‘Santa buses’ will leave GlaxoSmithKline car park in the town’s Harmire Road for the Museum at regular intervals each day, commencing at 9.45. The cover charge will be collected from each adult boarding the bus or at the front gate for pedestrians and cars parking on site.

Disabled drivers unable to use the Park and Ride will remain eligible to park free of charge in the Museum grounds, on production of their ‘Blue Badge’. As parking is limited, others wishing to park on site at the Museum will be charged £5.00 per vehicle in addition to the £2.50 cover charge per person.

Visitors please note that there will be no access to the market via the rear gate in Crook Lane.

Event co-ordinator Rosie Bradford said: “Come and join us for a great market with lots of local goods, that really puts you in the Christmas spirit, then get warm inside a treasure trove of beautiful art”.